Discover Canada’s First Passive House in Whistler
Visit Lost Lake PassivHaus in Whistler, Canada’s first Passive House. Explore rentals, a café, and Olympic history in a sustainable setting.
By Elke Porter | WBN News Sea to Sky | April 16, 2025
Tucked at the trailhead of Lost Lake Park, just a short walk from Whistler Village, stands a remarkable piece of Olympic history — the Lost Lake PassivHaus. Built for the 2010 Winter Games by the Austria Passive House Group (APG), it was Canada’s first certified Austrian Passive House. This eco-friendly marvel set a new standard for sustainable design and energy efficiency.
Originally known as the Austria Haus, it was home to the Austrian Olympic Committee and Austrian Public Broadcasting during the Olympics. After the Games, the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) completed site work and officially reopened the building as the Lost Lake PassivHaus. Today, it’s a cozy, award-winning day lodge operated by Cross Country Connection.
The PassivHaus is more than just a pretty building — it’s a model of energy efficiency. Designed using principles developed by Dr. Wolfgang Feist in Germany, Passive Houses use up to 90% less energy than traditional buildings. With features like super-insulation, airtight construction, heat recovery ventilation (HRV), and solar gain, the Lost Lake PassivHaus needs only 4 kWs to heat the entire structure.
Visitors can explore this unique building year-round. In winter, it offers cross-country ski and snowshoe rentals, along with lessons and day tickets. In summer, rent a mountain bike or join a guided tour through scenic forest trails. Need a break? The onsite Connection Café serves up hot drinks, smoothies, cookies, soups, and even gelato — all with outdoor seating in the fresh mountain air.
While the PassivHaus isn’t a formal tour site, it’s open to the public during operating hours. Want to rent the space? Limited booking times are available. Contact the Facility Coordinator for details. Winter rentals are reserved for Nordic-related activities only. Contact Kristen Hill at khill@whistler.ca
Come see for yourself why the Lost Lake PassivHaus is a lasting legacy of the 2010 Games — and a shining example of what sustainable building can be! For more information, visit https://www.whistler.ca/culture-recreation/facilities/lost-lake-nordic-trails/day-lodge/.
#Passive House Canada #Whistler BC #Sustainable Architecture #Lost Lake Park #Green Building #Eco Tourism #2010 Olympics Legacy #Energy Efficient Design #WBN News Sea to Sky #Elke Porter
Connect with Elke at Westcoast German Media or on LinkedIn: Elke Porter or contact her on WhatsApp: +1 604 828 8788
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